Wicklow Mountains National Park (Irish: Páirc Náisiúnta Sléibhte Chill Mhantáin) is a protected area in Ireland that covers 205 square kilometers (51,000 acres). It is one of eight national parks in the country. The park is located in County Wicklow and includes small parts of South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown in County Dublin. It lies in the Wicklow Mountains, a short distance south of Dublin. The park has many attractions that are enjoyed by people from cities looking for fun and activities, as well as by tourists and those interested in history.

Glendalough

One of the most important historic sites is Glendalough, which includes a group of early medieval monastery buildings connected to St. Kevin, a priest who lived alone in the wilderness. Other places of interest are the Education Centre in Bolger's Cottage, located on Miners' Road near the Upper Lake in Glendalough, and the remains of old mining villages.

Activities and environment

Recreational activities in the park include walking, hiking, rock climbing, rowing, diving, limited swimming, fishing, and opportunities for sightseeing and photography. Motorists can drive on the R756 road, which passes through the Wicklow Gap. Another scenic driving route follows the historic Military Road, designated R115, from the Dublin Hills south through the center of the mountains to Laragh village.

The park has many different habitats, including blanket bog, deciduous woods, coniferous woods, upland grassland, heath, exposed rocky areas, and scree. Many plant species, such as bluebells, wood sorrel, wood anemones, woodrush, bracken, polypody fern, and various mosses, grow in the area. Common trees in the park include holly, hazel, and mountain ash.

Some of the protected wildlife in the park includes several species of bats, rare otters, and nine bird species that are threatened or internationally important, such as the hen harrier, peregrine falcon, and whooper swan.

Park history and management

The park was first proposed many years ago. In 1988, Charles Haughey, the Taoiseach, announced the park's creation at Glendalough. An interpretative centre was funded in 1990, and the park officially opened in 1991. It is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is part of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Park staff are responsible for protecting nature, supporting research and education, ensuring public safety, and helping the park work well with nearby communities.

In May 2009, the park expanded by 28.33 square kilometres (7,000 acres). In 2016, the government purchased an additional 19.8296 square kilometres (4,900 acres) from a private owner. The area of land extends from Kippure down to Glenasmole Valley and Bohernabreena Reservoir. This land was added to the Wicklow National Park.